Differentiation of the ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system in snakes: A cytogenomics approach

• Grant number: 23/15700-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: May 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo de Bello Cioffi
• Grantee: Príncia Grejo Setti
• Supervisor: Tariq Ezaz
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Canberra (UC), Australia
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/12296-0 - Differentiation of the ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system. Comparative analyzes in reptile and bird species, BP.MS

Abstract

Seven months has been completed for the project named "Differentiation of the ZZ/ZW system of sex chromosomes: comparative analysis in species of reptiles and birds" (FAPESP 2022/12296-0). In this initial period, the satellitome of Dromaius novaehollandiae (emu) was characterized and in situ mapped on the emu's chromosomes and in two other phylogenetically related species. The achieved results are described in the manuscript currently under submission. Now, we intend to analyze the satellite DNA content and perform some molecular cytogenetics investigations in some snake species in the laboratory of Prof. Dr. Tariq Ezaz, a world-renowned specialist in the evolution of vertebrate, particularly in reptile, genomes. We aim to deepen into multipronged and modern molecular cytogenetic approaches, including ii) the isolation, characterization, and mapping of the satellite DNA library of the snake species, named Ptyas korros; ii) the cross-species mapping of these satellite DNAs in other Southeastern Asia and Australian snakes; and iii) the BAC-mapping of Pogona vitticeps sex-linked sequences in P. korros and iv) Intra- and interspecific CGH experiment in both Ptyas species. In addition, besides the expected scientific advances, this proposal will provide a unique opportunity for the scientific training of the student, by interacting with a renowned group of Australian researchers and learning new study methodologies currently employed in Dr. Ezaz laboratory.